Sweeping away the dead Republican leaves
United States President Donald Trump’s second term has been a political disaster for the U.S. He’s left the country’s people, and the world as a whole, feeling politically hopeless.
However, the 2026 Democratic Party sweep in the midterms showed the people’s resilience—resilience the rest of the world must emulate when facing tyrannical policy.
On Tuesday, Nov. 3, the world shifted its gaze towards the highly anticipated 2026 U.S. midterm elections. The significance of this election couldn’t be overstated, as two years of Trump’s second term have seen the American cost of living skyrocket, the destruction of its foreign relations and an unnecessary war in the Middle East.
The Link strongly believes this election matters not only to Americans, but to the whole world.
Leading into the election, the chance of real change was slim. The Democrats would need to flip both the House and the Senate to have a real, tangible impact. This would require the improbable swing of Republican fortress states, like Texas, one of the most conservative states in the country in recent decades.
Despite the slim chances, heading into the election, there was a real sentiment of hope. Americans are fed up with their 47th president, and it felt as though something massive needed to happen to reclaim their country and integrity.
This win was not just another random midterm result. It was the voice of millions of people coming together, putting aside their political histories, their pride and their prejudices to vote against an authoritarian, bigoted bully. Rather than violence, the tool of change was pure democratic protest: U.S. Democrats crushed the 2026 midterms. Millions watched as Texas, Kansas and Ohio, three historically red states, flipped blue in shocking fashion.
This win was a vote against the Iran war, against Trump’s blatant market manipulation, against his anti-2SLGBTQI+ legislature, against his tariff wars and against his blatant disrespect of the U.S.’ closest allies.
Some of the biggest wins came for Jaelynn Scott, the country's first-ever elected black transgender lawmaker, and for Bella Bautista, Quinnie Perez, Dina Nina Martinez-Rutherford and Allison Montgomery, all of whom became the first transgender lawmakers to win their states’ seats.
The former appointments to office happened in Georgia, Alabama and Florida, amongst others. These states have historically bled red and led the charge against the 2SLGBTQI+ movement for years. Yet, before these bigots’ eyes, major change is happening swiftly and without apology.
These elections were also a big win for progressive and leftist voters. The Democratic Socialists of America sent six new candidates to the House of Representatives. Spearheaded by a Senate win in Michigan by Abdul El-Sayed (who, when sworn in, will become the nation’s first-ever Muslim senator), there seems to be an appetite for progressive policymakers.
Now and again, an election result is so vocal, so clear, that viewers are reminded of the beauty of voting, the importance of democracy and the power the people possess.
Despite this, voting sentiments in Montreal and Quebec remain weak. After the most recent Quebec elections, there has been a feeling of helplessness, with the Parti Québécois (PQ) winning with only 28 per cent of the two-thirds of Quebecers who turned out to vote. The Quebec population is not actually being represented by their government, with only 18.9 per cent of eligible voters voting for the PQ.
In Montreal, only 37 per cent of the population voted in the 2025 municipal elections.
This has to change. The Link recognizes that it is our job, as citizens, to use our rights to resist tyranny and oppression for a better tomorrow. Despite all the negative headlines and the belief that a citizen’s voice is too insignificant to make a difference, we must use our ballots to fight back.
As a newspaper covering Montreal stories, we have a responsibility to cover candidates who will challenge the status quo and hold establishment parties accountable. Our reporting can inform Montrealers, and that information can push people to make real change in whatever way they can.
Shocking election results shouldn’t be a surprise or a rare occasion. No one should be bound to any party, just as the parties themselves are not bound to their policies. Even in Quebec, we have seen countless political shifts from our leaders. When our politicians look out for their own pockets and re-election, not the people, why should voters stay loyal?
When people are willing to mobilize and go to the polls, major change is possible. It’s all too easy to believe life happens to you, but it doesn’t; or at least it doesn’t have to. Our elected officials need to represent us—not themselves. The Link calls on our leaders to step up and promote change, progress and innovation, rather than acting as traditionalist, protectionist or revisionist actors.
If the U.S. has ever been a symbol for Quebec and Canada to look up to, it would be now, not because of its leadership or its foreign policy, but because of the unwavering strength of its people.
This article originally appeared in Volume 47, Issue 5, published November 10, 2026.
